‘Get Ready’ for natural disasters

As we approach end-of-year celebrations and the warmer months, it is important that homeowners check their smoke alarms to ensure they are in good working condition and installed in suitable areas. The State Government is also helping households across NSW take the guess work out of planning for natural disasters thanks to a new preparedness campaign called Get Ready NSW.

25 October 2023

 

FIRE & RESCUE NSW is encouraging vulnerable people to contact their local fire station to organise a home ‘Safety Visit’.

 

A home ‘Safety Visit’ will have firefighters visit your home and inspect your smoke alarms to determine whether they are in good working condition.

 

If your home requires a new smoke alarm or a change of batteries, Fire & Rescue NSW will organise this, at no cost to homeowners.

 

Federal Member for Robertson, Dr Gordon Reid MP, says this initiative is an outstanding service.

 

“There are vulnerable people in the community who cannot always check to see whether their smoke alarms are working or suitably located in the house,” Dr Reid said.

 

“This service allows vulnerable people to organise Fire & Rescue NSW to visit their home and identify any potential problems with their smoke alarms.

 

“As an emergency doctor, I cannot overstate how important home smoke alarms are for your health and for peace of mind.

 

“Smoke alarms provide an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and reduce the chances of harm.

 

“I thank all our emergency service workers, especially our firefighters who respond to a range of challenging callouts every day – our community is so appreciative.”

 

Saratoga Fire Station Captain, Mr Craig Dodds, says Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) is encouraging the local community to stay vigilant around fire danger this spring.

 

“There were 930 residential fires across NSW in spring last year," Craig Dodds said.

 

“No fewer than 40% of them started in kitchens or cooking areas so your local firefighters want to help you stay safe during the warmer months."

 

Captain Craig Dodds from FRNSW’s Saratoga Fire Station warns, “Always keep ‘looking while you’re cooking’ and if a fire breaks out on your stove, never throw water on it…that will make the flames more intense.

 

“Turn the stove off and ensure you have a fire blanket nearby to place over the fire and smother the flames.

 

“Make sure you have at least one smoke alarm in working order, installed in or near bedrooms as a priority. We also recommend you invest in at least one fire extinguisher for your home.

 

“If you have several, ensure they’re interconnected so an alarm sounding in one part of your home will activate the others.

 

“This is the time of year when we tend to get stuck into some spring cleaning.

 

“Clear your yards of debris and flammable materials like cardboard boxes and old furniture that could catch alight in a bushfire.

 

“Cut back any foliage you might have and clear your gutters of leaf litter.

 

“The warmer weather also means barbecues.

 

“When you’re cleaning your gas-powered outdoor cookers, check there are no leaks and that hoses and nozzles are in good, working order."

 

As the weather gets warmer, if you use an e-bike or e-scooter more it's essential that you don’t charge it where it will block your exit path out of the building if there is a fire.

 

And if you haven’t created a home escape plan with your families or fellow residents, take the time to map one out... where is the easiest escape route in the event of a fire? Do you have a back-up option? Are you able to phone Triple-Zero (000)? Do you have stairs that might be cut off in a blaze? What about access to a torch if the power goes out?”

 

“The time to think about these issues is now... not in the heat of a house fire,” Captain Dodds said.

 

“Familiarise yourselves with identifying your path to safety and maybe run a few fire drills with others in your home to make it second nature.

 

“If a major fire does occur in your home, get out and stay out, don’t risk your life by going back in for a few belongings.

 

In the event of a fire, NSW Fire & Rescue will be there... but every second counts and you can improve your odds of survival by following this advice:

 

• Dust and check smoke alarm

 

• Clear lint filters

 

• Replace damaged or frayed electrical cords.

 

• Safely dispose of any flammable liquids

 

• Roll and store electric blankets.

 

• Safely dispose of or recycle lithium batteries.

 

• Disconnect battery charges when not in use.

 

• Safely store flammable materials such as paints and cleaning products

 

• Degrease oven, stovetops and rangehoods.

 

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters

 

• Check and maintain BBQs.

 

• Organise and declutter garages.

 

• Review and update your family’s fire and emergency plan.

 

• Remove obstacles and clutter from emergency exits.

 

• Implement or review your Bush Fire Survival plan.

 

Anyone can organise to have a home ‘Safety Visit’, however, there are people within our communities that are at greater risk of fire incidents, including those over the age of 65, those who live alone, people living with disability, people who are supported by carers, and people with English as a second language.

 

For more information and to organise a ‘Safety Visit’, head to visits.

 

And with the looming hot summer ahead it's important to ‘Get Ready’ for natural disasters.

 

Get Ready NSW is the go-to single resource that will guide communities on how to better protect themselves from a range of natural disasters including bushfires, storms and floods.

 

Designed in partnership between the NSW Reconstruction Authority and NSW Department of Customer Service, in consultation with emergency services, Get Ready NSW will cover a range of scenarios, including:

 

• Understanding bushfire risk

 

• Preparing homes for a bushfire season

 

• Preparing businesses for a bushfire

 

• Managing pets and livestock

 

• How to find evacuation centres

 

• Understanding storm risk

 

• Preparing homes for a storm

 

• Information on heatwaves

 

• Finding support if you are impacted by natural disasters.

 

Households will also find valuable evacuation advice on Get Ready NSW, including how to create a digital ‘grab bag’ to make accessing important information easier during the recovery process.

 

The first stage of the campaign kicks off today with the launch of the website, followed later by social media posts, advertisements in regional papers and emails to communities.

 

The Reconstruction Authority will work with local councils and communities to further develop the campaign next year. To access the Get Ready NSW website, visit get ready.

 

Minister for Emergency Services and Customer Service Jihad Dib said “The Get Ready NSW campaign comes on the back of an early start to the bushfire season and with an El Nino weather pattern indicating a hotter, dryer summer, we want households to be prepared early for a wide range of disasters.”

 

“This initiative will take the guess work out of preparing for a disaster – we don’t want people Googling how to prepare for a natural disaster – we want them to use Get Ready NSW as an important resource.”

 

“If the worst occurs and you are caught in a disaster, this website will also assist in directing you to the information you need to help you recover. We know people trust government as a resource for government information, with the website receiving more than 2.3 million visitors a month and this tool will further enhance the site.”

 

“Natural disasters like bushfires and floods are becoming more frequent, being prepared is easier than you think. You can start by having a conversation with your family and visiting Get Ready NSW.”